Many people everyday power up their computers in search for a list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement. However, before we delve into the reasons, let's provide you with a few examples on just how complex and complicated nutritional biochemistry is so that you can make an informed decision about the list of reasons to take a multivitamin.
Do you know that zinc will not function without vitamin B6, nor can some enzymes be made without it?
Here are a couple more examples to show you how complicated nutritional biochemistry is, both selenium and magnesium need vitamin B6 in order to function correctly and selenium is the synergist for vitamin E, meaning if you're taking a vitamin E supplement but you are selenium-deficient, you will not reap the full benefits from vitamin E.
Bottom Line
No nutrient is an island unto itself and, as such, every nutrient requires other nutrients as cofactors, either for activation or function from each of the nutrient categories vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. For activation, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids require enzymes, and for function, essential fatty acid also required.
Now that we have explained just how complex and complicated nutritional biochemistry is, the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement will make more sense to you.
One of the most powerful arguments among experts is whether or not supplements are really necessary if you eat a healthy diet. While the arguments continue in the 21st century chronic illness and disease are skyrocketing even among the youngest of children. Indeed, we are all aware that diets that mainly consist of junk foods are main contributors to ill health. However, there are other challenges we are faced with in regards to good nutrition and obtaining optimal health.
So, can you get all the nutrients you need simply by eating a healthy diet? Quite honestly many experts say no and their reasons are multifaceted, but put simply we live in the modern civilized world.
In the good old days, our ancestors lived in pristine conditions and were given all the necessary components needed to maintain good health. Water came from natural sources and it was clean and pure. It also contained certain minerals, and those minerals served an essential purpose in promoting good health. Back then the air was fresh and clean, the skies were bright and clear, and food was rich in nutrients.
In fact, if we step back to just 100 years ago we would discover that most foods were grown and raised on small farms. Farmers rotated their crops regularly to avoid soil exhaustion and to maintain rich and healthy soil. buy bulk l arginine aketoglutarate aakg rotated soil meant the best harvest. Livestock were allowed the freedom roam and graze at will on nutrient rich foods and, as such, food prepared from this livestock was hardy and nutritious. Indeed, back then, they did not need a list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement because they didn't need to supplement their diets.
So, what happened? Here's the list of reasons to take a multivitamin.
First, let's take a look at our soil since then. According to the 1992 Earth Summit Soil Mineral Depletion Analysis, the United States has the worst soil in the world 85% mineral depleted. Minerals are naturally occurring elements found in earth. Minerals are also present in plants and animals, but they are imported. Plants get minerals from soil and animals get minerals by eating plants. This means that our foods have declined in nutritional value to help us to sustain optimum health.
Second, we now live in a highly toxic environment. Our research indicates that there is an estimated seven billion pounds of toxins and chemical agents added to our water, air and food each year. In fact, our bodies now contain between 300-500 known toxins in our tissues that were not found in humans prior to 1940. Toxins in our homes are said to be 5 times higher than those outdoors and 3-5 times more dangerous. There inescapablethere everywhere even in places as remote as the North Pole where Santa lives. This is due to the nature of wind, rain, and weather.
But wait, there's more on the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.
Third, our modern day diet is depriving us of even more essential nutrients. In the good old days there were no additives, preservatives, processed, refined, or prepackaged foods. Man had to hunt and gather food since there were no grocery stores. There were no white bread bushes or donut trees. There were no drive-through windows or canned, cooked, dried or packed in heavy sugar syrup fruits and veggies. Man did not have the option to pull French fries out of the ground and kick back with a soft drink. Back then man consumed food that was natural, fresh and highly nutritious.
Fourth, commercial farming which consist of pesticides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers comes with a price. The cost is the loss of nutritional value of our crops. Moreover, mass production of fruits and vegetables has robbed us of even more essential nutrients because premature harvesting does not allow them to reach their natural peak of nutrition. Foods are often picked before they are ripe and allowed to ripen in transit.
Here's food for thought on just how much our fruits and veggies have declined in nutritional value. In fact, the below example will give you a clearer picture in regards to the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.
Two peaches back in 1951 would have provided the current RDA requirements of vitamin A for adult women. Today, a woman would have to consume almost 53 peaches to meet her daily requirements of vitamin A.
Sad, isn't it!
But wait, there's even more on the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.
Fifth, trace levels of pharmaceutical drugs are now present in our surface water, groundwater, drinking water and sewage. Studies have shown some 50 to 90 percent of ingested pharmaceutical drugs are not metabolized, and leave the body in urine and feces and enter the sewage system. Moreover, hospitals and nursing homes routinely dispose of "vast quantities" of unused pharmaceuticals. According to our research the ultimate effects of these numerous pharmaceutical drugs that we drink in minute amounts daily are yet unknown.
Yet, even more on the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.
Sixth, stress, whether psychological or physical or due to injury or illness, depletes the body of vital nutrients. Indeed, another important factor in regards to the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.
Seventh, many prescription and even non-prescription drugs can interact with nutrients and, over time, can cause nutrient depletion.
Eighth, heat destroys many valuable nutrients in foods. This is why many experts recommend eating a diet high in raw foods whenever appropriate.
Lastly, we are all aware of the health effects air pollutants have on the human body as it too contributes to ill health. In fact, medical research has established that environmental chemicals contribute to degenerative diseases.
While we have not exhausted the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement, the aforementioned list gives you excellent clues on supplemental necessity.
It's important to remember that human body was actually designed to defend, heal, and protect itself from harmful threats when given the proper tools, which is good nutrition.
Indeed, when given these harsh challenges many experts feel that you cannot depend on food alone to provide you with all of the nutrition you need for optimal health. This is why health conscious enthusiast advises everyone to take nutritional supplements.
In fact, most physicians today recommend, at the very least, a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. However, figuring out what supplement to take for optimal health is a lot like buying major health insurance or trying to make sense of all the medical charges after a major surgery -- confusing and complicated. It does help if you familiarize yourself with the functions of nutrients.
While nutritional supplements can fill in the gaps it is not an adequate substitute for a good diet. In other words, supplements can enhance a healthy diet and are not a substitute for it.
Keep in mind that not all multivitamins are created equal and nowadays there are nutraceutical companies that produce multi nutrient supplements that go far and beyond the basic multivitamin and mineral product. For example, the product may include special antioxidant nutrients such as green tea extract that are much more powerful than vitamins C and E, and it may also include many other natural nutrients that promote a host of healthful benefits that simply will not be found in a low end basic multivitamin and mineral supplement.
We hope this list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement was useful to you.
Cindy Amorin is the chief editor of Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre.com, an information-rich site that discusses nutritional, dietary, and herbal supplements and their potential therapeutic value. She is the editor of vitamin and mineral supplements a section of Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre discussing recommendations as to what to look for in an ideal multivitamin and mineral supplement.
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